ROMANS[a part of MichaelShipe.com]
A Resource for applying Romans to your life and leading small group discussions.

Romans Chapter 1My thoughts
Romans 1:16 This is a powerful verse. The Truth has power. The Truth is never something to be ashamed of. I think most Christians would say, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel" but the actions of most Christians would say, "I am ashamed of the Gospel." This statement has no value unless there is a lifestyle that agrees with it.
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Small group study questions Romans 1
Romans 1:24-32 "God gave them over...to their sinful desires...shameful lusts...a depraved mind...to do what ought not be done." What does this kind of world need from the Church? How can you make it happen?
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Romans Chapter 3
My thoughts
Romans 3:22-24 This is the Good News, the Gospel. Righteousness comes through believing in Jesus Christ. There is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, all have sinned, all fall short, and all are justified who believe in Christ's work on the cross.
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Romans 5:15-17 Adamís sin covered all men and brought physical death, however Godís gift to mankind, like the trespass, reaches all men but brings spiritual life. However, it doesnít mean all are saved, but that the means of grace are available to all. Those who receive Godís abundant provision of grace and righteousness reign in life through the power of Jesus Christ.

Small group study questions Romans 5
How do you avoid glossing over words weíve heard a thousand times and bite into the life changing truth they contain?
How does this passage apply to your life today?
What changes do you need to make in light of Christís sacrifice for you?
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Romans 6:3-7 Sin is a bad marriage that was abusive and dangerous. Our baptism with Christ freed us from that marriage because we are then dead to sin. Christ then takes our battered, scarred, and broken bodies and makes us spotless and pure for His own sake. Our reward is in heaven when we believe Christís work on the cross is enough to make us spotless. A laps in faith is saying Christ didnít heal us, and our abusive husband has a better plan for our lives.
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Romans 7:24-25 This is such a frustrating thing, here we are saved by Godís grace and rescued from sin to join Godís family, but then we find ourselves fighting with the enemy. Why would anyone save us knowing we would not be rescued completely? Thanks and praise be to God. He knew our struggles yet sent His Son Jesus anyway. So, we are slaves to Godís law, but we are still in the rescue process.
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Romans 8:28 Aside from salvation, this is probably the greatest promise God has given us. It is applicable in every situation no matter how hard or terrible, even the great situations in our lives God causes for the good. There is no shortage of people who will say that they grew the most as a person during the hard times in their lives.
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Romans 9:33 Manís pride holds us back from trusting in another for salvation. We want to make it on our own. Thus, anyone who tries to step over the Cornerstone and make it on their own, will stumble. Humbling ourselves fully and trusting in Christ we will never be put to shame.
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Romans 10:8-9 The righteousness that comes by faith is so close to everyone that it is obtainable by anyone. It is just a matter of confessing in with your mouth and believing in your heart. Here is the simplicity of the Gospel. Believing and confessing are acts of faith.
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Romans 11:22 Throughout the Bible, God stands apposed to Himself, the Lion and the Lamb, Judge and Advocate. Here God is kind and stern. I initially wish God was all kind and not stern at all. But both characteristics are needed and both are loving. God must be stern because His holiness will not allow people to fellowship with Him who are not approaching Him in faith.
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Romans 13:13-14 I think this is one passage that loses some of itís meaning when read today. I think if this letter was written to America today, he would be saying pornography, greed, and other things. These are certainly still valid things to avoid, but I get the idea they were socially acceptable sins of Rome and today we have different socially acceptable sins. Think about glorifying Jesus. Think about filling yourself so full of Him that He seeps out every aspect of your life, even in the socially (or personally) acceptable sins.
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Romans 14:10-12 Christ conquered during life, and during death, and thus earned Himself the right to judge. Everyone else is far from meeting that standard and thus has no authority to cast judgment. It is laughable really that we can get so puffed up to think we can help God out by corralling His people. It is so easy to tear each other down instead of build others up. We must remember that we will give an account of all of our actions, and this should keep us too busy to worry about how others are doing.
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Romans 15:1-3 Church is about Christ and becoming like Him and helping other people become like Him. We like to turn it into helping people become more like ourselves. When others stumble the initial sin response is to use that opportunity to get on their shoulders. The initial righteous response is to kneel down and pick them up. Jesus was the only One who could have rightfully elevated Himself, but He didnít, He lived the life of a servant.
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Romans 16:19 The obedience of the Roman Christians brought peace and joy to themselves, but since the Kingdom of God is interlinked their closeness to God brought joy to Paul, their spiritual father, and encouragement to believers all over. Then Paul gives a simple truth that would greatly improve life, being wise when it comes to good things, and innocent when it comes to evil things.
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